Author

Date of Award

Degree Name

Department

First Advisor

Dr. Christopher C. Cheatham

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael Miller

Third Advisor

Dr. Timothy Michael

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Campus Only

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of three different graded exercise test protocols ( one continuous and two discontinuous varying in passive rest period duration) on the determination of lactate threshold (LT). Nine subjects completed three experimental trials. During the experimental trials, each subject performed one of three exercise protocols on a cycle ergometer: continuous (CONT-0), discontinuous with two minute passive-rest periods (DISC-2), and discontinuous with four minute passiverest periods (DISC-4). There was no statistical difference between V02 at LT (CONT-0: 1.547 ± 0.364, DISC-2: 1.515 ± 0.311, DISC-4: 1.609 ± 0.366 L·min-1) or percentage peak V02 (%V02pcak) at LT (CONT-0: 55.0 ± 7.3, DISC-2: 52.7 ± 1.1, DISC-4: 55.0 ± 7.8 %) between any of the three exercise protocols. However, there was a significant difference between lactate concentration at LT between CONT-0 and DISC-4 (2.2 ± 0.5 and 1.6 ± 0.2 mmol·L- 1 , respectively). There were also significant differences in maximum workload between CONT-0 and DISC-2 as well as CONT-0 and DISC-4 (CONT-0: 221 ± 52, DISC-2: 239 ± 46, DISC-4: 241 ± 50 W). Results of this study suggest that V02 at LT as well as % V02peak at LT may not be influenced by differing exercise protocols. However, the lactate concentration at LT was greatest during the CONT-0 protocol.